Successful shop owners “learn” not to take their business for granted, however, in the real world, too many shop owners do just that.

Reflect back on the very first day you opened your doors for business. You were very proud and very excited too, butterflies danced in your stomach that very first morning the doors opened, but most likely you were also scared to death. You were reasonably, but not “totally”, confident whether you could really make a go of this debt-burdened monstrosity you took on. Your fingers were crossed and you were positive. The challenge was in front of you—could you really see your vision of a successful shop come true? So you paid attention to every little detail.

It’s now five years or so into your “career”. You’re working hard… maybe too hard; you feel you have some decent “clients” and some reasonable “customers”; you think, “at least the debt is being paid down and new equipment has been added here and there, and the staff I have is not all that bad, considering what’s out there. I’m now well on my way to my future”. Oh, are you?

Consider the following: “When” was the last time you had butterflies of excitement in your stomach over your business? “When” was the last time you really challenged your methods of doing business? “When” was the last time you reviewed exactly where you were headed? “When” was the last time you really questioned yourself by asking “is there a better way of doing this?” “When” was the last time you firmly committed yourself to being the very best you can be?

Too many shop owners don’t think about these things—they have a tendency to get themselves buried in a business rut. It’s safe to say they take too many things for granted, especially their client/customer base, and many aspects of their business, and that’s “why” they have the problems they do. The best shop owners challenge every company they do business with to higher levels, look for new ways to be better at what and how they do their processes, they’re willing to re-learn their business, stay focused, and understand the importance of an open mind.

Perhaps it’s time, right now, not tomorrow—right now, to challenge yourself to make sure you’re not taking your business, customers/clients, for granted. Get focused on every little detail of your business today. Put the fun back into every day by re-learning your business all over again, and watch the butterflies of excitement come back into your life as you re-discover the true potential in front of you—the potential you now know you can achieve.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “If I knew then, what I know now”? Well you now have the business experience; now it’s time to start over… because you’re capable of being the best, and deep inside you know it! “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

Bob Greenwood

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